Microwave processing of feedstock, such as exfoliating vermiculite and other minerals, and treating contaminated materials
AssigneeThe University of Nottingham
InventorsChristopher Dodds, Georgios Dimitrakis, Sam Kingman
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Abstract
Ways of applying microwaves to feedstock to be processed are disclosed. One embodiment relates to heating inter-layer water in vermiculite to expand the vermiculite. Another embodiment relates to heating water in oil-contaminated materials and waste products, such as drilling cuttings, contaminated soils and certain types of animal by-products, to drive out oil. In some embodiments a microwave tunnel applicator has the microwaves applied from beneath the feedstock.
Claims20
A method of expanding a mineral material having a water interlayer between mineral layers from a hydrated, unexpanded state to a less hydrated, expanded state comprising:
- heating interlayer water in the mineral to a temperature such as to cause the water to cause the mineral to expand by applying microwaves to the mineral, the microwaves having;
- (i) a frequency of between 1 MHz and 3 GHz;
- and
- (ii) a power density of at least 1×106 W/m3 in the water phase;
- wherein the mineral is an exfoliating vermiculite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.